The Frontier War

Down Memory Lane

She took me by the hand, walking me out of the small, hot room and into a hallway, walking through the maze of corridors. Rebels eyed me suspiciously, as I was infamous throughout the rebel network. I was easily recognized as the Demon of the 51st, a man known for the bloody slaughter of thousands of rebel troops.

It didn't surprise me when they began yelling threats, and cursing in many different languages. I knew every single one, and all the mindless yelling and anger all translated into one thing. That, if left alone here, I would be killed instantly. I decided that though I barely remembered this girl, I was going to have to stick close to her, to assure my survival until I could escape here.

We walked out of the compound and into a nearby forest. The cold air created a slight mist throughout the forest, and the thick tree cover let almost no light through. I didn't even believe she was beside me, if it weren't for her tight grip on my hand.

And her grip got even stronger as we walked deeper into the forest. The air was significantly colder, and the girl was now huddled up against me. I felt the soft beating of her heart, and her warm body against mine, attempting to keep warm in this frigid air. I had no clue why we were out here, and then she spoke.

"This brings back memories..." she said, sighing. Through the icy mist, I could make out her gentle smile, and those stormy gray eyes staring right at me for confirmation.

I began to suspect she was seducing me, so I kept my guard up. Nevertheless, I responded.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you know, all the winters we spent together back home...before the accident."

I was about to explode with anger. It wasn't an accident. It was a public execution they put my brother through.

I still remember reading the package from the military. My brother's last wishes. His death letter. They even had a recording of the execution, which aired in many different systems , all at once. A note on it advised that I should be fully prepared before I watch it. The whole way to the military base, I watched it over and over until the blood was nothing more than a colour.

For weeks, I watched it whenever I could. Not because I liked it. Because I needed to see my brother. I needed to see Alex. To see the pain in his eyes. The things they did to him were unforgivable. And I let that rage drive me. I let it give me strength to live up to his expectations, in hope that I could avenge him and honour his memory.

These thoughts put a sour taste in my mouth, and she must've noticed.

"Marko...is everything okay? You know, I'm right here if you need to talk...your beloved Rachel, right?"

She sighed and leaned against me.

"At least, that's what it was...back then..."

I knew I should play dumb. Even though I remember nearly everything about this girl. Tyler's sister, Rachel Kryo. The beautiful younger sister of Tyler, my brother Alex's best friend. She was a year younger than me. And I was instantly captivated when we met.

I vaguely remembered a romance with her. It was short, but it wasn't bad. We were textbook childhood sweethearts. But that all changed when Alex left. I felt lost. Angry. Confused.

And so I pushed her away. I pushed everyone else away. I only wanted my brother back. But he never did. And so I left her. I left everyone.

I ignored all her attempts to contact me. I ignored all her texts, calls, letters. Everything you could think of. I blocked it all out.

And now she had me with her again. After all these years, she finally had me in her clutches. I was sure she couldn't be happier.

"You know, Marko...I never stopped chasing after you. Now we're here. And I caught you. Now you're mine again."

She giggled and squeezed my arm, nuzzling my shoulder with her cheek. The mist began to clear, and I could see her better. She was beautiful. I couldn't deny it. She had become a beautiful young woman.

I quickly shook those thoughts away. I couldn't let her get to me. I had to get myself together and keep her out of my head. She's a beautiful young woman working for the enemy, and that meant she was threat. Unfortunately for both of us, she wasn't the only threat nearby.

The guards nearby has gone silent, and there was an uneasy feeling in the air.

A click sounded behind us, and Rachel froze, falling to the ground without a word. Two black clad people grabbed her and placed a bag over her head. It was the last sight I saw before the pain of a shock baton pierced my back and knocked me out.